Maybe you can help me settle my Tiger Woods conundrum - should I root for him or against him?

Since Tiger Woods returned to golf at the '10 Masters, I found myself rooting against him. I felt he needed to eat his share of humble pie until he was more than full. When he practically finished last at the WGC-Bridgestone last year, I smiled. When Graeme McDowell made a Sunday run to beat Tiger at his own tournament, the Chevron World Challenge, I laughed. But, now I find myself wanting to root for him.

I don't think Tiger will ever be able to fully grasp the concept of "emotions" and "feelings", but he's suffered enough in my opinion. I'm not sure I'm ready to actively root FOR him, but I at least won't root AGAINST him. If he wins, good. If he doesn't, fine. Either way, I'll be watching because Tiger makes golf fun.

I thought I'd help you guys out by letting you know where you can watch him too. I also included where you can fine live coverage online so you can follow all the golf (cough, cough), I mean work on Thursday and Friday.

Banker85 says:Tiger is almost an underdog now. I am rooting for him and i think you should too. He has gone through a lot of pain physically, mentally and emotionally so he atleast deserves some good vibes to help him out. I havent been this excited about a tournament all year long. This made my weekend a whole lot better! Thanks TW!

8/3/11

dottomm says:I am with Banker. I loved watching him fall apart. Now I'm ready to see him dominate

8/3/11

gpickin says:I'm sick of Johnny No Name winning.
I dont mind seeing guys i know win, but they seem to be all over.
Go Tiger.

8/3/11

legitimatebeef says:Wow Nate, I thought I was up in my head. How about just enjoy the action as it unfolds, unburdened by expectation, simply enjoying golf played at a high level? See how you feel as the leaderboard develops, and then just go with it. Yeah that's right, I'm telling you, go with the flow. You can still enjoy it without having your mind made up about this player or that. Tiger or no Tiger, any tournament has the potential to excite or bore you, this week is no different.

8/3/11

legitimatebeef says:I guess I'll share my own thought on this. I am not really into cult of personality, most of all concerning golfers. In my worldview Woods has always been an awesome golfer. I never got too riled up about his off-course persona good or bad. When he released the first photos of his newborn kids featuring the Woods clan in angelic glow of perfect familyship, I didn't go "Awwwwww!" and get all heartwarmed. Likewise when it came out that he had been banging a legion of sluts, I didn't shake my fists in indignation.

To me Tiger Woods is still a golfing idol. His legend status is cemented. It's dorky to say these days, but in his prime, he definitely inspired me to play some golf, to go after every shot with intensity and purpose and I'm sure a lot of pro's would even say the same. It's pretty cavalier to trash someone's golf game who has won on tour over seventy times and I can't believe so many people, people who are barely above pond scum in the world of golf are indulging in all this trash talk.

8/3/11

ToddRobb says:I have always said that all "true golf fans" are Tiger fans. I can't imagine a true hockey fan not liking Wayne Gretzky, or a true basketball fan not liking Michael Jordan. For some strange reason Tiger haters are more common for him than any other superstar at his level. Before we knew what we know now about him, if you had a bad thing to say about his game you got looked at sideways, now it's fashionable to say how much you "never" liked him, and some how all that he has accomplished on the course is forgotten.

I for one am rooting for Tiger to get back to dominating the game as he once did. Not because of who he is, but because he has the capability to do it. Think about how long it took for anyone to show up to challenge Jack's records, Tiger is a once in a lifetime sports icon that we should feel lucky to bear witness to. Just like Jordan and Gretzky.

8/3/11

ToddRobb says:There have been 23 first time winners on the tour since the beginning of 2010, I would much rather see a few players compete on a regular basis that develop a rivalry, than some new guy that that you never heard of win and never wins again. When Tiger was on top it was him against EVERYBODY, kind of like the way Jordans Bulls won 6 championships against 6 different teams. I was truly hoping that Phil could step up and be "the man" but he isn't wired properly for the job. People are hoping for the "next Tiger", I just hope we get Tiger 2.0 that doesn't have any bugs.

8/3/11

Kurt the Knife says:I really prefer seeing all these other guys winning tournaments.

Banker85 says:@ToddRobb: Bulls faced the Utah Jazz 2 years in a row. I do agree i am tired of watching the unknown rookie win over some other guy i never really heard of. I want someone to come out and start playing like Tiger use to or Tiger gets back to atleast half of the player he use to be.

EloraBlue says:I'm sorry....but are y'all suggesting I should feel sorry for tigger?!?! Is that what I'm reading?! seriously? He's suffered enough?! Oh my good lord in heaven above. I have no further comment.

8/5/11

ToddRobb says:Feel sorry for Tiger??? That's not even close to what I'm saying. I think that's difference, for me it doesn't have to be Tiger, I just would rather have someone be a dominant force out there, instead of having the parity that we have now. At least Jack had Arnie, Gary Player, Tom Watson and a few others to contend with on a regular basis.